U.S. patent number 5,457,454 [Application Number 08/123,996] was granted by the patent office on 1995-10-10 for input device utilizing virtual keyboard.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to Jin Sugano.
United States Patent |
5,457,454 |
Sugano |
October 10, 1995 |
Input device utilizing virtual keyboard
Abstract
An input device, which utilizes a virtual keyboard, includes a
device for designating at least one input-position in a virtual
keyboard displayed on a display; an input-symbol defining device
for defining a form and a meaning of each input-symbol drawn by the
designating means (e.g., a write-pen); and a symbol recognition
device for discriminating the input-position and related
input-symbol drawn at the input-position on the basis of
information defined by the input-symbol defining means. The input
device generates a specified input-code in a real keyboard in
accordance with a combination of the input-position and the
input-symbol, and displays characters or symbols corresponding to
the input-code on the display means. Preferably, the form of each
input-symbol includes a length of a segment drawn by the
designating device and a direction in which the segment extends.
Further, the meaning of each input-symbol includes information
about a correspondence between the form of each input-symbol and a
method in which at least one key in the real keyboard is
depressed.
Inventors: |
Sugano; Jin (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited (Kawasaki,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
17241511 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/123,996 |
Filed: |
September 21, 1993 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 22, 1992 [JP] |
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4-252733 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
341/22; 341/26;
345/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/04883 (20130101); G06F 3/04886 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/033 (20060101); G06F 003/02 (); G06F
003/03 () |
Field of
Search: |
;341/22,23,26,28
;345/179-183 ;364/709.16,709.15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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61-246826 |
|
Nov 1986 |
|
JP |
|
52622 |
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Mar 1987 |
|
JP |
|
63-278114 |
|
Nov 1988 |
|
JP |
|
94253 |
|
Apr 1993 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Groody; James J.
Assistant Examiner: Burgess; Glenton B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Armstrong, Westerman, Hattori,
McLeland & Naughton
Claims
I claim:
1. An input device utilizing a virtual keyboard, which enables data
to be input by designating at least one input-position
corresponding to at least one key indicated in an image of a key
arrangement displayed on a display means, by using a designating
means, said input device comprising:
an input-symbol defining means for defining a form and a meaning of
each of input-symbols drawn by said designating means across said
image of said key arrangement; and
a symbol recognition means for discriminating said input-position
and related input-symbol drawn across said image of said key
arrangement said input-position on the basis of information defined
by said input-symbol defining means and for generating at least one
input-code corresponding to at least one input-code in a real
keyboard, wherein said input device is operative to generate a
specified input-code in accordance with a combination of said
input-position and said related input-symbol discriminated by said
symbol recognition means, and wherein said input device is
operative to display characters or symbols corresponding to said
specified input-code on said display means.
2. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a length of a segment drawn by said designating means and
a direction in which said segment extends.
3. An input device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
designating means is composed of a write-pen which draws said form
of each input-symbol by touching said virtual keyboard in such a
manner that said write-pen can move in at least one direction.
4. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a size of a circle drawn by said designating means and a
rotational direction in which said circle is drawn.
5. An input device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said
designating means is composed of a write-pen which draws said form
of each input-symbol by touching said virtual keyboard in such a
manner that said write-pen can move in at least one rotational
direction.
6. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said meaning of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes information about a correspondence between said form of
each of input-symbols and a method in which at least one key in
said real keyboard is depressed.
7. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said specified
input-code generated in accordance with a combination of said
input-position and said related input-symbol is equivalent to at
least one input-code obtained by simultaneous strokes of a
plurality of keys in said real keyboard.
8. An input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a length of a segment drawn by said designating means and
a direction in which said segment extends.
9. An input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a size of a circle drawn by said designating means and a
rotational direction in which said circle is drawn.
10. In input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said meaning
of each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes information about a correspondence between said form of
each of input-symbols and a method in which at least one key in
said real keyboard is depressed.
11. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said specified
input-code generated in accordance with a combination of said
input-position and said related input-symbol is equivalent to a
specified input-code which is different from an input-code
indicated simply by said input-position designated by said
designating means.
12. An input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a length of a segment drawn by said designating means and
a direction in which said segment extends.
13. An input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said form of
each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes a size of a circle drawn by said designating means and a
rotational direction in which said circle is drawn.
14. An input device is set forth in claim 11, wherein said meaning
of each input-symbol defined by said input-symbol defining means
includes information about a correspondence between said form of
each of input-symbols and a method in which at least one key in
said real keyboard is depressed.
15. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input
device is applied to a computer in which characters indicating
Chinese are input.
16. An input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input
device is applied to a computer in which Roman characters
indicating Japanese are input.
17. An input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said input
device is applied to a computer in which characters indicating
Chinese are input.
18. An input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said input
device is applied to a computer in which Roman characters
indicating Japanese are input.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input device utilizing a
virtual keyboard which enables desired data to be input into a
portable personal computer, etc., by designating at least one
input-position corresponding to at least one key indicated in an
image of a key arrangement displayed on a display means, by means
of a designating means, e.g., a write-pen.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an input device
utilizing a virtual keyboard, by which an operator, especially a
beginner can easily carry out input operations of various data
without repeatedly depressing keys on a real keyboard.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, computer systems have become more compactness, smaller in
size, and lighter in weight, as represented by portable personal
computers. To deal with this trend, a pen-type portable computer
has been developed and has begun to be produced, in which a real
keyboard is not provided at all, and in which data input operations
can be carried out by utilizing a virtual keyboard displayed on a
screen of a display means, i.e., a display unit and a write-pen of
small size.
More specifically, in the case where an operator or a user would
like to process given data in a pen-type portable computer, first
of all, the operator or the user has a virtual keyboard displayed
as an image of a key arrangement on a screen of a display unit such
as a liquid crystal display unit. Next, the operator or the user
designates key positions by touching the virtual keyboard with a
write-pen, etc., and inputs characters, etc., corresponding to the
data to the computer.
In such a construction having an input device utilizing the
above-mentioned virtual keyboard, it is unnecessary to provide a
real mechanical keyboard having a relatively large size as an input
device in the body of the computer. Therefore, the overall size and
total weight of the pen-type computer can be reduced. Further,
since it is unnecessary to operate a real keyboard by executing key
strokes many times in accordance with the given data, even a
beginner can rapidly input data by an easy operation of a
write-pen, etc.
For example, when a transport company is ordered to transport a
certain load, an employee of the transport company can take a
pen-type computer with him or her to a place where the load is
actually placed, and immediately make an estimate for transporting
the load by using the pen-type computer.
However, in such a pen-type computer having an input device
utilizing the virtual keyboard of the prior art, it was
substantially impossible for an operator, etc., to simultaneously
designates two different key positions on the virtual keyboard with
a write-pen, etc., corresponding to the simultaneous strokes of two
different keys in a real keyboard of a thumb-shift key system
utilizing simultaneous operations of shift keys by thumbs and
character keys by other fingers.
Here, to enable a problem regarding a conventional pen-type
computer having an input device utilizing a virtual keyboard to be
understood more clearly, a concrete configuration of a real
keyboard in a desk-type computer, etc., and a virtual keyboard in a
pen-type computer according to a prior art will be described with
reference to the related drawings of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this case,
a configuration of a real keyboard and a virtual keyboard each
utilizing operations of a left-shift key and a right-shift key by
thumbs to input Chinese representatively.
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a real
keyboard according to a prior art; FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram
showing an arrangement of a virtual keyboard according to a prior
art.
In the real keyboard of FIG. 1A, only an arrangement of head
consonants each of which is respectively positioned in a first
position of a syllable in Chinese (hereinafter, each of these
consonants will be referred to as "Seibo") is illustrated.
In this figure, 100 denotes a real keyboard in a computer; 101
denotes lefthand keyboard portion in which an input operation of
data is carried out by a left hand of an operator; 102 denotes a
righthand keyboard portion in which an input operation of data is
carried out by a right hand of the operator; and 103 denotes a
left-shift key and 104 denotes a right-shift key. The left-shift
key and the right-shift key are respectively depressed by thumbs of
the left hand and the right hand. Further, among a number of
character keys on the lefthand keyboard portion 101 and the
righthand keyboard portion 102, a d-key indicating a "Seibo" of a
character d is particularly defined by the reference numeral
105.
For example, in FIG. 1A, in the case where a "Seibo" indicated by a
character d is to be input to the computer, a stroke of only d-key
105 is executed by depressing the d-key 105. On the other hand,
when simultaneous strokes of d-key 105 and the left-shift key 103
are executed, phonetic information indicated by two characters "di"
is input to the computer. Here, the character i in a second
position of the characters "di" is equivalent to one of semivowels
inserted between a "Seibo" and a vowel (hereinafter, each of these
semivowels will be referred to as "Kaion"). Namely, by
simultaneously depressing d-key 105 and the left-shift key 103, a
combination of the "Seibo" indicated by the character d and the
"Kaion" indicated by the character i is input.
Also, when simultaneous strokes of d-key 105 and the right-shift
key 104 are executed, phonetic information indicated by two
characters "du" is input to the computer. Namely, by simultaneously
depressing d-key 105 and the right-shift key 104, a combination of
the "Seibo" indicated by the character d and the "Kaion" indicated
by the character u is input.
In the virtual keyboard of FIG. 1B, only an arrangement of head
consonants in Chinese ("Seibo") is displayed on a display unit. In
this figure, 110 denotes a display unit, e.g., a liquid crystal
display unit in a computer; 111 denotes virtual keyboard which is
displayed as an image of a key arrangement equivalent to the
arrangement of the real keyboard on a display unit 110; and 112
denotes a write-pen functioning as a designating means. When an
operator designates a key position by touching a specified key on
the virtual keyboard 111 with the write-pen 112, a character
corresponding to the specified key is input to the computer.
In this figure, 114 denotes a virtual left-shift key and 115
denotes a virtual right-shift key. These virtual left-shift key 114
and right-shift key 115 are respectively equivalent to the
left-shift key 103 and right-shift key 104 in the real keyboard
100, and are displayed on the display unit 110, similar to the
virtual keyboard 111. Further, among a number of character keys on
the virtual keyboard 111, a virtual d-key indicating a "Seibo" of a
character d is particularly defined by the reference numeral
113.
For example, in FIG. 1B, when the virtual d-key 113 is touched with
a write-pen 112, a "Seibo" indicated by a character d is easily
input into the computer. On the other hand, in the case where
phonetic information indicated by two characters "di" is to be
input to the computer, the operator first designates the position
of the virtual left-shift key 114 with the write-pen 112, and
subsequently designates the virtual d-key 113 with the same
write-pen 112. Also, in the case where phonetic information
indicated by two characters "du" is to be input to the computer,
the operator designates the position of the virtual right-shift key
115 with the write-pen 112 at first, and subsequently designates
the virtual d-key 113 with the same write-pen 112.
In other words, in the case where a combination of the "Seibo" and
the "Kaion" indicated by two characters is input to the computer by
utilizing the virtual keyboard, it is necessary for the operator to
designate the virtual key positions by carrying out
touch-operations twice.
As apparent from the above-mentioned explanation with reference to
FIGS. 1A and 1B, in an input device utilizing a virtual keyboard of
the prior art, two different key positions corresponding to two
keys such as a virtual shift key and a virtual d-key cannot be
simultaneously designated by one touch-operation with a write-pen,
unlike the case of a real keyboard of a thumb-shift key system.
Therefore, the input device utilizing a virtual keyboard of the
prior art has a problem in that it becomes rather troublesome to
input various codes, e.g., characters, which are not indicated by a
key arrangement on the virtual keyboard by using a left-shift key
or a right-shift key.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described problem, the main object of the
present invention is to provide an input device utilizing a virtual
keyboard in which any input-code, corresponding to an input-code
that is obtained by simultaneous strokes of a plurality of keys in
a real keyboard, can be generated by one touch-operation with a
designating means.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an input
device utilizing a virtual keyboard in which characters, etc., that
are not indicated by a key arrangement, can be easily input, in a
manner similar to simultaneous strokes of a plurality of keys in a
real keyboard of a thumb-shift key system.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
input device utilizing a virtual keyboard which has a function
equivalent to a real keyboard of a thumb-shift key system in the
case where characters indicating Chinese are input.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
input device utilizing a virtual keyboard which has a function
equivalent to a real keyboard of a thumb-shift key system in the
case where Roman characters indicating Japanese are input.
To attain these objects, the input device according to the present
invention includes a designating means for designating at least one
input-position corresponding to at least one key in a virtual
keyboard displayed on a display means; an input-symbol defining
means for defining a form and a meaning of each input-symbol drawn
by the designating means on the virtual keyboard; and a symbol
recognition means for discriminating the input-position and related
input-symbol drawn at the input-position on the basis of
information defined by the input-symbol defining means and for
generating at least one input-code corresponding to at least one
input-code in a real keyboard.
In this case, the input device is adapted to generate a specified
input-code in accordance with a combination of the input-position
and the related input-symbol, and to display characters or symbols
corresponding to the specified input-code on the display means.
Preferably, in the above-mentioned input device, the form of each
input-symbol defined by the input-symbol defining means includes a
length of a segment drawn by the designating means and a direction
in which the segment extends.
Further, preferably, the form of each input-symbol defined by the
input-symbol defining means includes a size of a circle drawn by
the designating means 1' and a rotational direction in which the
circle is drawn.
Further, preferably, in the above-mentioned input device, the
meaning of each input-symbol defined by the input-symbol defining
means includes information about a correspondence between the form
of each input-symbol and a method in which at least one key in the
real keyboard is depressed.
Further, preferably, the designating means is composed of a
write-pen which draws the form of each input-symbol by touching the
virtual keyboard in such a manner that the write-pen can move in at
least one direction, e.g., in a right direction or a left
direction.
Further, preferably, the designating means is composed of a
write-pen which draws the form of each input-symbol by touching the
virtual keyboard in such a manner that the write-pen can move in at
least one rotational direction.
Further, preferably, the specified input-code generated in
accordance with a combination of the input-position and the related
input-symbol is equivalent to at least one input-code obtained by
simultaneous strokes of a plurality of keys in the real
keyboard.
Further, preferably, the specified input-code generated in
accordance with such a combination is different from an input-code
indicated simply by the input-position designated by the
designating means.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input
device is applied to a computer in which characters indicating
Chinese are input.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input
device is applied to a computer in which Roman characters
indicating Japanese are input.
In the input device according to the present invention, a number of
input-symbols which can be easily drawn with a single stroke of the
designating means, e.g., a write-pen, is defined in advance. When a
specified input-symbol is drawn by the designating means at an
input-position on the virtual keyboard, the input-position and the
specified input-symbol are adapted to be discriminated on the basis
of the previously defined input-symbols. Further, a specified
input-code is adapted to be generated in accordance with a
combination of the input-position and the related input-symbol. By
virtue of the thus generated input-code, it becomes possible for an
input-code equivalent to that obtained by simultaneous strokes of a
plurality of keys in the real keyboard to be easily obtained,
without designating the virtual key positions by carrying out
touch-operations twice.
Further, in the input device according to the present invention, by
utilizing the combination of the input-position and the related
input-symbol, a specified input-code which is different from an
input-code indicated simply by the input-position designated by the
designating means, can be obtained by a relatively simple operation
of the virtual key. Namely, a greater number of characters or
symbols than those indicated simply by the image of the key
arrangement of the virtual keyboard, can be input.
Therefore, the input device utilizing the virtual keyboard, which
allows a large number of characters or symbols to be input by
simpler operation, can be realized by a relatively small number of
virtual-keys.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above object and features of the present invention will be more
apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a real
keyboard according to a prior art;
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a virtual
keyboard according to a prior art;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams showing a first preferred
embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall
construction of a computer utilizing a virtual keyboard to which an
input device according to the present invention is applied;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining input operations of some data in
FIGS. 2A and 2B;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are block diagrams showing a second preferred
embodiment according to the present invention; and
FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts each for explaining a process of
data which is input by utilizing a virtual keyboard shown in FIGS.
5A and 5B.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, the description of some preferred embodiments
according to the present invention will be given with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams showing a first preferred
embodiment according to the present invention. In FIG. 2A, a major
part of an input device of a first preferred embodiment concerning
data input operation by utilizing a real keyboard is illustrated;
in FIG. 2B, the remaining part of the input device concerning a
code conversion for display is illustrated.
Further, in FIG. 2A, 1 denotes a display means, e.g., a display
unit composed of a liquid crystal display; and 1' denotes a
designating means, e.g., a write-pen, which designates an
input-position corresponding to a specified key in a virtual
keyboard 2, and which draws a specified input-symbol at the
input-position. In this case, the designating means 1' may also be
a mouse, Joystick, or the like, which can draw the input-symbol
with one stroke by touching the virtual keyboard 2 in such a manner
that the designating means can move in at least one direction. The
virtual keyboard 2 is displayed on the display means 1. Among the
virtual keyboard 2, a virtual d-key indicating a "Seibo" of a
character d is especially defined by the reference numeral 2'.
In this figure, 3 denotes an input-symbol defining means which
defines a form and a meaning of each of the input-symbols drawn by
the designating means 1' on the virtual keyboard 2. In regard to
the form of each input-symbol defined by the input-symbol defining
means 3, the following types are mentioned.
A first type of symbol 4 (.cndot.) indicates a point which is
formed only by a touch-operation of the designating means 1'.
A second type of symbol 5(.fwdarw.) indicates a segment to a right
direction which is formed by drawing the segment toward the right
direction from a touch position of the designating means 1'.
A third type of symbol 6 (.rarw.) indicates a segment to a left
direction which is formed by drawing the segment toward the left
direction from a touch position of the designating means 1'.
Namely, vectors each of which has a certain length segment (a value
of a length of a point is deemed to be zero) drawn by the
designating means 1' and has the right or left direction in which
the segment extends are defined by the input-symbol defining means
3.
Also, it should be noted that other vectors extending in an upward
direction, a downward direction or oblique directions, and circles
each having a certain size and a certain rotational direction in
which the circle is drawn, can be defined in accordance with a
request of an operator. The size and the direction of each circle
can be determined by the designating means 1' with one stroke.
The meaning of each input-symbol is defined by the input-symbol
defining means 3, in order to provide information about a
correspondence between the form of each input-symbol and a method
in which at least one key in the real keyboard is depressed. For
example, the first type of symbol 4 means a single stroke of only
one key on the real keyboard equivalent to an input-position on the
virtual keyboard designated by the designating means 1'; a second
type of symbol 5 means simultaneous strokes of a key on the real
keyboard equivalent to an input-position designated by the
designating means 1' and a right-shift key on the real keyboard;
and the third type of symbol 6 means simultaneous strokes of a key
on the real keyboard equivalent to an input-position designated by
the designating means 1' and a left-shift key on the real
keyboard.
Further, in FIG. 2A, 7 denotes a symbol recognition means, which
discriminate an input-position designated by the designating means
1' and related input-symbol drawn at the input-position on the
basis of information defined by the input-symbol defining means 3.
Further, the symbol recognition means 7 is adapted to recognize a
specified input-code which is equivalent to an input-code obtained
by simultaneous strokes of a plurality of keys in the real
keyboard, or other specified input-code which is different from an
input-code indicated simply by the input-position designated by the
designating means 1', in accordance with a combination of the
input-position and the related input-symbol.
More specifically, the symbol recognition means 7 is constituted by
a virtual-key input discrimination means 8 and an input-code
conversion unit 11.
The virtual-key input discrimination means 8 is adapted to
recognize an input-position designated by the designating means 1'
on the virtual keyboard 2 and related input-symbol drawn at the
input-position. In the virtual-key input discrimination means 8, 9
denotes a position discrimination section for carrying out a
process of discriminating the input-position, and 10 denotes a
symbol discrimination section for carrying out a process of
discriminating the input-symbol.
The input-code conversion unit 11 is adapted to convert the thus
discriminated input-position and input-symbol to a specified
input-code 14 (e.g., du) on the real keyboard, in accordance with a
combination of input-position information 12 (e.g., d-key) and an
input-symbol information 13 (e.g., .fwdarw.). For example, when it
is discriminated that the second type of symbol 5 is input by the
designated means at an input-position of a d-key 2', an input-code
corresponding to two characters "du" which is obtained by the
simultaneous strokes of a d-key 2' and a right-shift key in the
real keyboard, is provided.
Further, in FIG. 2B, 15 denotes a real keyboard which is provided
as an option; 16 denotes a read-code generation means, which
converts the input-code generated by the symbol recognition means 7
and by the real keyboard 15 to a read-code represented by a
phonetic notation; and 17 denotes a read-code/Chinese-character
conversion means, which converts the read-code sent from the
read-code generation means 16 to corresponding code of
Chinese-characters (Kanji) with reference to a Chinese-character
dictionary 18. In this case, the Chinese-character dictionary 18
makes a correspondence between various read-codes and codes of
Chinese-characters, and is typically constituted by a file memory
in ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.
19 denotes a display means which is usually the same as the
above-mentioned display means 1. In the display means 19, a
read-code display section 20 is adapted to display the read-code
generated by the read-code generation means 16, in the form of
characters corresponding to the phonetic notation. Also, in the
display means 19, a Chinese-character display section 21 is adapted
to display the code of Chinese-characters sent from the
read-code/Chinese-character conversion means 17, in the form of
Chinese-characters indicated by the code of Chinese-characters.
Here, to clarify a relationship between an input device in the
first preferred embodiment and a computer, an example of the
overall construction of a computer will be briefly described with
reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall
construction of a computer utilizing a virtual keyboard to which an
input device according to the present invention is applied. In this
case, a pen-type computer utilizing a virtual keyboard and a
designating means such as a write-pen is illustrated
representatively.
In FIG. 3, the pen-type computer is mainly constituted by a display
unit 50, a designating means 60 such as a write-pen, a processing
unit 70 and a Chinese-character dictionary 80. Further, an input
device includes a virtual keyboard 55 , the designating means 60
and a part of the processing unit 70.
The display unit 50 corresponds to the display means 1 shown in
FIG. 2A. The virtual keyboard 55 may be displayed on a screen of
the display unit 50, only when desired data has to be input.
Characters or symbols corresponding to the data, are input into the
processing unit 70 of the computer, by drawing a specified
input-symbol on the virtual keyboard 55 with a single stroke of a
designating means 60.
The processing unit 70 including the input-symbol defining means 3
and the symbol recognition means 7 in FIG. 2A is preferably
realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer. The
processing unit 70 has a memory unit 75 composed of a ROM or a RAM
(Random Access Memory), which stores a program for a process of the
input-symbol and various tables for input-code conversion, etc.
When an input-symbol is input into the processing unit 70 by means
of the virtual keyboard 55 and the designating means 60, the
processing unit 70 discriminates the input-position and the
input-symbol and generates the corresponding input-code with
reference to the tables in the memory unit 75 by utilizing the
program for the process of the input-symbol.
Further, the thus generated input-code converts corresponding
read-code. Further, if necessary, the read-code is converted to a
corresponding code of Chinese-characters with reference to the
Chinese-character dictionary 80. Finally, the read-code or the code
of Chinese-characters is displayed on the screen of the display
unit 50.
In such a construction utilizing the virtual keyboard of the
present invention, a function of defining a form and a meaning of
each input-symbol and a function of discriminating the
input-position and the input-symbol can be realized by software in
a computer. Therefore, a pen-type computer having a relatively
small size can be realized, in which any input-code can be
generated by one touch-operation with a write-pen, corresponding to
an input-code that is obtained by two simultaneous key strokes on a
real keyboard.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining input operations of some data in
FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this figure, some examples, in which
input-symbols corresponding to Chinese are input representatively.
Hereinafter, any component that is the same as that mentioned
before will be referred to using the same reference number.
In FIG. 4, as the content of input-code, a "Seibo" indicated by a
character d and a combination of a "Seibo" and "Kaion" indicated by
characters "di" and "du" are mentioned.
Hereinafter, three cases of input operations, in which the data
corresponding to the character d, and the characters "di" and "du"
are input, will be described in detail.
(1) the case where the character d is input
First, an input-position corresponding to the d-key 2' on the
virtual keyboard 2 is designated by the designating means 1' (a
write-pen, a mouse or cursor). At this time, a point is input as an
input-symbol only by touching the d-key 2' without moving the
designating means 1'. Subsequently, the virtual-key input
discrimination means 8 discriminates the input-position
corresponding to the d-key 2' and recognizes that the input-symbol
is a point as defined by the first type of symbol 4. Then, the
input-code conversion unit 11 converts the input-symbol to an
input-code which is obtained by a single stroke of a d-key on a
real keyboard.
Further, the read-code generation means 16 converts the the
input-code (d) to a corresponding read-code, and finally displays
the read-code in the form of the character d on the screen of the
display means 19.
(2) the case where the character "di" is input
First, an input-position corresponding to the d-key 2' on the
virtual keyboard 2 is designated by the designating means 1' (a
write-pen, a mouse or cursor). At this time, a segment in a left
direction is drawn as an input-symbol by moving the designating
means 1' in the left direction on the d-key 2'. Subsequently, the
virtual-key input discrimination means 8 discriminates the
input-position corresponding to the d-key 2' and recognizes that
the input-symbol is a segment to a left direction as defined the
third type of symbol 6. Then, the input-code conversion unit 11
converts the input-symbol to an input-code which is obtained by
simultaneous strokes of a d-key and a left-shift key on a real
keyboard.
Further, the read-code generation means 16 converts the the
input-code (di) to corresponding read-code, and finally displays
the read-code in a form of the character "di" on the screen of the
display means 19.
(3) the case where the character "du" is input
First, an input-position corresponding to the d-key 2' on the
virtual keyboard 2 is designated by the designating means 1' (a
write-pen, a mouse or cursor). At this time, a segment in a right
direction is drawn as an input-symbol by moving the designating
means 1' in the right direction on the d-key 2'. Subsequently, the
virtual-key input discrimination means 8 discriminates the
input-position corresponding to the d-key 2' and recognizes that
the input-symbol is a segment to a right direction as defined by
the second type of symbol 5. Then, the input-code conversion unit
11 converts the input-symbol to an input-code which is obtained by
simultaneous strokes of a d-key and a right shift key in a real
keyboard.
Further, the read-code generation means 16 converts the the
input-code (du) to corresponding read-code, and finally displays
the read-code in a form of the character "du" on the screen of the
display means 19.
In the first preferred embodiment, the explanation has been made
concerning the example in which the "Seibo" and "Kaion" of Chinese
are input by using an input device according to the present
invention. However, an input device according to the present
invention can be applied to the example in which Japanese
characters are input utilizing a virtual keyboard, as will be
described below.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are block diagrams showing a second preferred
embodiment according to the present invention.
In FIG. 5A, a configuration of a virtual keyboard in an input
device of the second preferred embodiment is illustrated; in FIG.
5B, a method in which input-symbols corresponding to Japanese are
input.
To be more specific about FIG. 5A, the virtual keyboard in the case
where the present invention is applied to an input device for
inputting Japanese by means of Roman characters. In this
embodiment, a plurality of keys are constituted by ten kinds of
alphabet-keys which allow all the characters of the Japanese
syllabary ("Kana" characters) in Japanese to be input, a
voiced-sound key for inputting voiced sounds (referred to as a
first auxiliary key AUX-1), and a conversion-key for converting an
input read-code to corresponding Chinese-characters, etc.,
(referred to as a second auxiliary key AUX-2).
The above-mentioned alphabet-keys are used for inputting all the
phonetic characters of each line [(from an a ()-line through a
wa()-line)] in the Japanese syllabary ( . . . ). Further, in the
case where an input-code corresponding to Japanese is to be
obtained by utilizing the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 5A, a
specified input-symbol is input by means of a designating means,
e.g., a write-pen. At this time, at least one character of the
Japanese syllabary is also input by a combination of the specified
input-symbol and a key position designated by the designating
means. For example, any character of the a-line is input by a
combination of an a-key and a specified input-symbol. Also, any
character of the ka ()-line is input by a combination of a K-key
and a specified input-symbol.
To be more specific about FIG. 5B, a concrete example concerning a
method in which input-symbols corresponding to Japanese are
defined.
In this case, the following five kinds of input-symbols are defined
to determine the input-codes: 1 a point only by a touch-operation
of a write-pen, etc. (.cndot.); 2 a segment drawn toward a right
direction from a point designated by a write-pen, etc. (.fwdarw.);
3 a segment drawn toward a downward direction from a point
designated by a write-pen, etc. (.dwnarw.); 4 a segment drawn
toward a left direction from a point designated by a write-pen,
etc. (.rarw.); and 5 a segment drawn toward an upward direction
from a point designated by a write-pen, etc. (.uparw.).
For example, when the symbol 1 of the point (.cndot.) is input at
an input-position of the a-key in the a-line, a character of
Japanese syllabary of "a" () is input. Further, when the symbol 2
of the segment to a right direction (.fwdarw.) is input at an
input-position of the a-key, a character of Japanese syllabary of
"i" () is input. Further, when the symbol 3 of the segment to a
downward direction (.dwnarw.) is input at an input-position of the
a-key, a character of Japanese syllabary of "u" () is input.
Further, when the symbol 4 of the segment to a left direction
(.rarw.) is input at an input-position of the a-key, a character of
Japanese syllabary of "e" () is input. Further, when the symbol 5
of the segment to an upward direction (.uparw.) is input at an
input-position of the a-key, a character of Japanese syllabary of
"o" () is input.
Further, in regard to the a-line, when the symbol 1 of the point
(.cndot.) is input at an input-position of the K-key in the
ka-line, a character-of Japanese syllabary of "ka" () is input.
Further, when the symbol 2 of the segment to a right direction
(.fwdarw.) is input at an input-position of the K-key, a character
of Japanese syllabary of "ki" () is input Also, the other
characters of Japanese syllabary can be input in a similar manner
to that mentioned above, by combination of alphabet-keys and
input-symbols.
Further, by means of a combination of a voiced-sound key (AUX-1)
and each input-symbol, a symbol indicating a voiced sound (), a
symbol indicating a semi-voiced sound (.cndot.), a symbol
indicating a double consonant, a symbol indicating a syllable
composed of consonants including a semivowel and also composed of a
vowel (also referred to as a symbol of "Youon"), and the like can
be input.
Further, by means of a combination of a conversion-key (AUX-2) and
each input-symbol, a conversion process, a non-conversion process,
extended conversion process, and the like can be executed for the
input read-code.
According to the second preferred embodiment, it becomes possible
for various characters and symbols corresponding to Japanese to be
input by an extremely small number of virtual-keys, e.g., ten kinds
of alphabet-keys and two kinds of auxiliary keys.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts each for explaining a process of
data which is input by utilizing a virtual keyboard shown in FIGS.
5A and 5B.
Typically, the process of data by utilizing a virtual keyboard is
executed by a processing unit of a computer as shown in FIG. 3.
First, in a step S1 of FIG. 6A, in the case where a specified
input-position is not touched by a write-pen, the processing unit
is waiting for data input. If it is discriminated that a
touch-operation by the write-pen is executed, it is confirmed
whether or not this touch-operation is carried out within the
virtual keyboard (S2). If the touch-operation is carried out
outside the virtual keyboard, the flowchart proceeds to any other
routine (S4).
On the other hand, if the touch-operation is carried out within the
virtual keyboard, it is discriminated which key in a key
arrangement on a screen of a display unit is touched by the
write-pen to determine an input-position (touch position) of the
write-pen (S3). At this time, it is also discriminated which
input-symbol an operator inputs by using the write-pen (S5). In
this case, input-symbol information concerning all the
input-symbols that the operator inputs, can be defined in advance
and can be stored in a two-dimensional table, together with
input-position information.
In a step S6, the thus discriminated input-position and
input-symbol are converted to a specified input-code on the real
keyboard, in accordance with a combination of the input-position
information and the input-symbol information, with reference to the
two-dimensional table. Further, in a step S7 of FIG. 6B, it is
discriminated whether or not the specified input-code corresponds
to one of read-keys such as alphabet-keys. If the specified
input-code corresponds to the read-key, this read-key is converted
to a corresponding read-code with reference to the table provided
in the processing unit (S8). Further, in a step S9, a process of
displaying the read-code in the form of corresponding characters or
symbols on the screen of the display unit is executed.
In the step S8, if the specified input-code does not correspond to
a read-key, it is discriminated whether or not the specified
input-code corresponds to a conversion-key (S10). If the specified
input-code does not correspond to a conversion-key, the flowchart
proceeds to any other routine (S11). On the other hand, if the
specified input-code corresponds to a conversion-key, the read-code
is converted to a code of Chinese-characters (S12), with reference
to a Chinese-character dictionary.
Further, in a step S13, a process of displaying the code of
Chinese-characters in the form of corresponding Chinese-characters
on the screen of the display unit is executed.
In such a process of data according to the second preferred
embodiment, the input-symbol is discriminated on the basis of a
combination of input-position information and input-symbol
information. Therefore, an operator or user can input data with a
virtual keyboard by a simpler operation than in the prior art.
While the present invention has been described as related to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various changes
and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
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